Completion of a stained concrete floor entails three primary phases of work, Scoring, Staining and Sealing.  The cost of a complete stained floor will include itemized amounts for each of the three phases.  Depending on project specific circumstances, the three phases may occur consecutively or weeks apart.  In addition to the primary phases, there are optional steps that may be taken during the construction process for reasons of concrete hardening, water or chemical proofing, increasing slip resistance and others.  The following will answer many questions regarding options and scheduling, but the final program should be discussed, and priced, in detail prior to commencement of construction.

SCORING:

Scoring is the primary method of patterning in stained concrete.  The score lines are generally on a square grid and spaced 12 inches to 36 inches apart or "on center" (o.c.).  Unless otherwise specified, scoring width is .0825 inches.  By using multiple blades or specialty blades, the width can be increased, though costs increase as well.  Scoring of all or portions of the slab may be done prior to wall framing.  This results in a tile look with score lines disappearing under walls and continuing through doorways.  Alternatively, a border may be cut which delineates a particular area, or which parallels walls throughout the area(s) to be stained.  Bordered scoring is done after wall lines are established by the wall base plates.  Due to the increased difficulty of bordering, the cost per square foot for scoring increases 40% to 60%.  Graphic scoring is by bid only.

Another variable in scoring is direction of scoring, square or diagonal.  Scoring is generally done on the diagonal; forty-five degrees off from the predominant wall lines.  Diagonal scoring eliminates the problem often encountered with walls or cabinets not being perfectly square or straight.  A square pattern running along a wall will accentuate the slightest deviation from square in a wall layout.  Diagonal scoring also makes a room feel larger.

Special patterns such as accent tile, banding, diamonds, triangles and graphics are easily achieved in scoring, though costs will be affected.  Acid washes, sand blasting and mechanical abrasion will all provide additional options for patterning either singly or in conjunction with scoring. 

STAINING:

Stain is generally applied after dry-in but prior to installation of any interior finishes.  Additionally, stain should only be applied after four weeks concrete cure time, except in special finish applications.  Coordination of subcontractor trades by the builder is vital.  Prior to staining, cleanliness is of utmost importance.  Nails, saw dusts and cut-offs should be removed daily.  Materials should never be stacked on concrete to receive stain.  Glues, solvents, foods, drinks, tobacco products and many other materials will cause permanent blemishes in the slab.  GAC will charge by the hour for pre-treatment of the slab and for cleaning beyond light cleaning and sweeping. The stain process establishes the color and degree of variegation in your floor.  A variety of colors are available, and colors can be mixed or overlaid to achieve additional effects.  Special appearances, such as speckling and blotching, may be created by treatment of the concrete before or during the stain application.

GAC will apply sample colors to an area of your slab for selection of the final color.  It is helpful if you can provide a picture, paint chip, or other sample of the general color you desire.  Unfortunately, color matching is impossible with stain.  The base colors are limited in number, and too much variability occurs in the mixing and pairing of colors to achieve a specific color.  GAC will, however, strive to obtain the tone you desire.

Beyond the initial sample panel application, additional sample work will be billed by the hour.  GAC requires that samples be approved by the owner or owner's representative based on samples applied to the specific concrete to be stained.  Large variations in tone occur between slabs due to environmental factors, concrete composition, finishing method, etc.  If an entire house is to be stained samples are generally placed in kitchen cabinet locations.  If this is unacceptable, a separate sample area must be provided by the Builder or Owner.

Unless otherwise specified, two coats of like-color stain are applied to achieve the approved color.  The stain must be allowed to dry, and is then cleaned to remove latence and resultant efflorescence from the slab.  Due to the acid content of the stain, the concrete surface is softened at this point and is very susceptible to scratching.  Twenty-four to forty-eight hours after cleaning, the stained area is detailed and then coated with a base sealer.

This sealer will vary depending on the final finish (see below).  After the base coat is dry, the builder should install a protective material such as corrugated paper or vapor permeable house wrap.  Under no circumstances should polyethylene or any type of recycled lumber material be used for protection.  GAC will be happy to offer suggestions regarding materials and methods of protection but does not offer this service.

SEALING:

Sealing is the final step in the stained concrete process, and perhaps the most confusing as so many options are available.  For residential applications, there are two broad classifications of sealer; wax or acrylic.  Wax finishes are a paste wax and must be cared for as you would a wood floor.  Acrylic finishes are generally very glossy, have more slip resistance, and can be maintained with one step floor care products.  They do, however, mar much more easily.   Your choice will depend a lot on your family's life style and your aesthetic preference. 

By nature, the paste waxed floor takes on a patina which many find preferable to acrylic finishes.  The drawbacks to waxed floors are that they must be re-waxed periodically, and that they are more likely to be damaged by chemical products, food spills, animal urine and heavy foot traffic.

Acrylics, though less permeable, tend to be glossy and show scratching more than a waxed floor. The obvious advantage to acrylic finishes is the ease of maintenance and the resistant nature of the surface to most materials.

In addition to the above, other options available are chemical resistant sealers, concrete hardeners and surface densifiers, colored waxes, industrial floor finishes and slip resistant coatings.  U.S.D.A. approved sealers are available which meet food service requirements without dramatically affecting the stained concrete. (Please see our Floor Sealant Comparison Chart)

Feel free to ask as many questions as are necessary to be comfortable with the procedure. The best time for questions is before work starts and budgets are set. GAC is here to assist you in any way possible.